locate
8 synonyms and 3 antonyms for locate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To find the exact position of something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To find the exact position of something.
“I cannot locate my keys anywhere in the house.”
How to use locate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
locate a source
be located in
locate the problem
Etymology
From Latin locātus, "placed", from locō, "to place", from locus, "place".
Full origin of locate →Frequently asked questions
What does “locate” mean?
The word “locate” means to find the exact position of something. In plain terms, to find where something is, or to set something up in a particular place.
How do you pronounce “locate”?
“Locate” is pronounced luh-KAYT (/ˈloʊˌkeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “locate” in a sentence?
Here is “locate” used in a sentence: “It took rescuers hours to locate the missing hikers.”
What part of speech is “locate”?
“Locate” is a verb.
Where does the word “locate” come from?
The word “locate” comes from Latin. From Latin locātus, "placed", from locō, "to place", from locus, "place".
Is “locate” a common word?
“Locate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “locate” have?
“Locate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to find the exact position of something.
What is the difference between locate and find?
Both mean to discover where something is, but 'locate' is more formal and stresses pinpointing the exact position, usually through a deliberate search. 'Find' is the more general, everyday word and can also mean to come across something by chance.
What is the difference between locate and situate?
In the sense of placing something, both mean to put it in a particular spot. 'Situate' is more formal and often appears in the passive, as in 'the house is situated on a hill', while 'locate' works for both active searching and placement.
When should you use 'locate' instead of 'place'?
Use 'locate' when the emphasis is on choosing a specific position for something, especially a building or facility, as in 'they located the factory near the river'. 'Place' is simpler and more general for putting any object somewhere.
